Americans why are you guys SOOO FAT?

[Tatyana]

Enough said
NOW AMERICANS take note for we British know how to get the job done

Oi, don't get me all tangled up in your yank bashing.

Especially on this topic

 

[javaguru]

Missed this post before I posted.

I think the UK is removing junk food vending machines from school, modifying school dinners, and also looking at things like free gym memberships and cash incentives for people who lose weight or maintain a healthy bodyweight.

I think food labelling helps a bit, but we are currently using three systems in the UK, it gets confusing for people.

The private sector does a lot in the US. Many corporations have their own health centers or provide subsidized/free memberships. Some have RN's on staff that monitor the health of "at risk" people and advise them on the importance of diet and exercise. They sponsor weight loss and healthy eating challenges for employees; They realize it lowers costs.

The media is always providing information about the importance of weight loss, diet and exercise. A local news station has a segment called "Ask an Expert." They have a different person on every weekday to answer viewer questions. They are a financial planner, cardiologist, internist, nutritionist, and personal trainer. Guess how often the importance of not smoking, diet and exercise are raised by the experts.

Likewise, companies advertise the health benefits of their foods for reducing cholesterol/weight both on their labels and television. The information is everywhere but people don't want to make changes.

 

[calveless wonder]

If sugarlicious wasn't such a pompous fuckin loser i'd be inclined ot agree with him. You can't point a finger when your country is just as guilty. If you were from Japan/Korea or some western mainland european country i'd say "ok, you have a point".

our eating habits as a whole are terrible. Everything we produce is loaded with trans fat, high fructose corn syrup and our country is ridden with fast food. We also live some of the most sedentary lifestyles of any country and our portions are HUGE.

that is why america is fat, plain and simple. we value convenience over many things

 

[Tatyana]

The private sector does a lot in the US. Many corporations have their own health centers or provide subsidized/free memberships. Some have RN's on staff that monitor the health of "at risk" people and advise them on the importance of diet and exercise. They sponsor weight loss and healthy eating challenges for employees; They realize it lowers costs.

The media is always providing information about the importance of weight loss, diet and exercise. A local news station has a segment called "Ask an Expert." They have a different person on every weekday to answer viewer questions. They are a financial planner, cardiologist, internist, nutritionist, and personal trainer. Guess how often the importance of not smoking, diet and exercise are raised by the experts.

Likewise, companies advertise the health benefits of their foods for reducing cholesterol/weight both on their labels and television. The information is everywhere but people don't want to make changes.

I think this is the area that really needs to be adressed.

I think that there is more going on that just not wanting to make changes.

I have read a few interesting articles on how taking in nearly a full day's worth of calories, especially when it is fat and simple carbs, has a serious impact on the regulatory mechanisms of the brain, in short, they are saying that this is addictive.

Throw in some socio-economic factors, it just gets messy.

People don't seem to want to do it for health benefits, but they will do it for cash incentives.

I think motivating people may have to be more in this domain.

 

[sugarlicious]

calveless wonder
We love you too
You dont really know me
Well i like to get people talking and temperature rising
we all need a good verbal bashing and heated debates from time to time it gets the blood flowing which is food for the soul.

And yeah Americans convenience over many things INCLUDING their Health

 

[cindylou]

People also have emotional attachments to food that have to be addressed too.


its more complicated than that

 

[sugarlicious]

Where is Dr Phil when you need him

 

[javaguru]

I think this is the area that really needs to be adressed.

I think that there is more going on that just not wanting to make changes.

I have read a few interesting articles on how taking in nearly a full day's worth of calories, especially when it is fat and simple carbs, has a serious impact on the regulatory mechanisms of the brain, in short, they are saying that this is addictive.

Throw in some socio-economic factors, it just gets messy.

People don't seem to want to do it for health benefits, but they will do it for cash incentives.

I think motivating people may have to be more in this domain.

I imagine you find the greatest lifestyle changes among those who have suffered a heart attack or stroke but by then the damage is done; The fear of death is a strong motivator.

 

[c-sharp minor]

It's a 'more is better' mentality. Whether it be the accumulation of material goods, or the consumption of food stuffs. We're conditioned to believe that more is better by the media, and in turn, large corporations.

spend more = happiness

eat more = happiness

more of anything....period = happiness

Yet, many people are still unhappy. Hence the proliferation of prozac etc.....

While out shopping yesterday, I noticed how morbidly obese people were. I'm not speaking of just a few people either. At least half the people I saw were walking examples of heart disease and cardiovascular disease.

Sickening really.

 

[cindylou]

Where is Dr Phil when you need him

lol, well they do.

you'd think that cutting down your portions would be easy but some of these people are eating when they are not hungry and eating past full when they do.

that has nothign to do with the ingredient list of a certain food.